The learning jigsaw

To celebrate achievements and successes over the last school year and to look forward to more learning and achievement in the year to come.

by Janice Ross

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To celebrate achievements and successes over the last school year and to look forward to more learning and achievement in the year to come.

Preparation and materials

• You will need some suitable jigsaw puzzles for the different age groups present. These should be able to be completed as far as possible by groups of two to three children in less than ten minutes.
• Each jigsaw should have one or two pieces missing.
• An adult to supervise these activities.
• Whiteboard or blackboard showing the words:
  ‘I am proud that I have learned to …’
  ‘I am proud that I managed to …’
  ‘I am proud that I achieved …’

Assembly

1. Set groups of children the tasks of completing each of the jigsaws. Let them do this at the front of the space where they can be part of the assembly. During the assembly keep checking to see how they are getting on.
2. Tell all the children that as the end of the school year approaches you would like them to think about what they have achieved that they are proud of. What new skills have they become proficient in? What successes have they had? You would like to take some time to celebrate these together.
   
   Suggest that they can use the sentence beginnings on the board to share their successes if they wish. Listen to as many as you can and celebrate every achievement by involving their teachers too.
3. Let’s see how our groups have managed with the tasks set at the beginning of the assembly. Ask the youngest group what picture they have created. Was there any problem?
   
   Go through each group in the same way. Each group will report that one or two pieces are missing.
   
   Ask them how they feel about that. Did that make the task more difficult?
   
   Thank them for their effort and apologize for the fact that you actually removed the pieces yourself.
4. Explain that you wanted to show the children that their learning this year has been a bit like a jigsaw. By achieving many wonderful things they have started to create a beautiful picture, which is really like a picture of their lives. But just as there are some pieces missing in the jigsaws so there are still some gaps in their learning, and in their skill development, and in their character building.
   
   You are looking forward to them coming back next year (or hearing about them in their new schools), so that more of these pieces can be put into place and an even more beautiful and complete picture made of their lives.

Time for reflection

Reflection

We are a work in progress!

What have you made progress on this year?

In a year’s time, what further progress will you have made?

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for the different characters, talents and gifts that we all have.

Thank you for the potential you put within all of us.

Amen.

Song/music

‘One more step’ (Come and Praise, 47)